The Unknown God References Monthly Theme Acts 17:15-34; Others Can See Jesus in Us

Home , Unknown God

LESSON ONETHREE The Unknown God References Monthly Theme Acts 17:15-34; Others can see Jesus in us. The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 231-242 The Bible Lesson at a Glance Paul is in Athens. He is distressed that there are idols all around. He talks about Jesus to whoever will listen. Some people call him a babbler. Paul is invited to the Areopagus (a place where philosophers meet) to explain more about his God. He refers to Memory Verse their altar that was dedicated “to an unknown god,” and proclaims “God . . . is not far to them the true God. He tells them about the resurrection of from any one of Jesus. Some people sneer, some want to hear more, and some us” (Acts 17:27). become believers.

This is a lesson about service. When we know God intimately, we will be empowered to speak boldly and confidently to the most intelligent unbeliever. Objectives Not only will we have confidence, but we will feel compelled to The children will: spread the word about Him. Know that serving God involves knowing Teacher Enrichment Him well enough to Athens—“The most illustrious city of ancient Greece. . . . It tell others about Him. was named after Athena, the patron goddess of the city. . . . The Feel a desire to know God apostle Paul came to Athens in the course of his 2nd Missionary better so we can tell Journey. . . . In dealing with the people and speaking with them others about Him. in the agora, he found the Athenians inquisitive (Acts 17:21) and Respond by seeking to religious (v. 22, RSV). That they were religious was obvious to know God better and to every observer, since there were about 3,000 statues in Athens— tell others about Him. most of them probably objects of worship—also many temples and altars. Among the altars was one dedicated to ‘an unknown god’ (v. 23). No altar with such an inscription has been found so far in the excavations of Athens, but one discovered at Pergamum bears the broken inscription to ‘The unk[nown] gods’ ” (The SDA Bible The Message Dictionary, pp. 95, 96). I serve God when Areopagus—”The name of a barren, rocky hill northwest of the I tell others about Him. Acropolis of ancient Athens, indicating that the hill was dedicated to Ares, the god of war (called Mars by the Romans), hence the translation ‘Mars’ hill’ ” (ibid., p. 72).

Room Decorations See Lesson 1.

30 LESSON THREE www.gracelink.net/primary SERVICE

Program Overview Lesson Section Minutes Activities Materials Needed

Welcome ongoing Greet students at none door; hear pleased/ troubled ______Readiness Options up to 10 A. Praise Session toilet tissue cardboard tube for 1 each student, “Praise the Lord” stickers (optional), markers B. Do You Know Him? picture of person you know, but children don’t ______Any Prayer and Praise* up to 10 Fellowship Time Songbook Sing for Joy Mission Children’s Mission Offering offering container decorated to represent where this quarter’s offering is going Prayer none ______Bible Lesson up to 20 Experiencing the Story stepladder or something stable to 2 stand on, brown material or crumpled paper bags, boxes or large rocks, sign that reads “unknown god,” Bible-times costumes Memory Verse newspaper, red and black markers Bible Study Bibles, paper ______Applying the up to 15 What We Know chalkboard/whiteboard, marker 3 Lesson or chalk ______Sharing the up to 15 Good News Book construction paper, lined paper, 4 Lesson markers, pencils, stapler or yarn, hole punch (optional)

*Prayer and Praise may be used at any time during the program. www.gracelink.net/primary LESSON THREE 31 TEACHING THE LESSON

Welcome Welcome students at the door. Ask how their week has been—what they are pleased/troubled about. Encourage them to share any experiences from last week’s lesson study. Have them begin the Readiness Activity of your choice. 1 Readiness Activities Select the activity most appropriate for your situation.

A. Praise Session You Need: Welcome the children, but instead of talking to the children, mime: “Good morning, • toilet tissue welcome, I’m so happy to see you, please have a seat” by just moving your mouth and cardboard tube gesturing. for each child Ask: How did you feel when I did not talk to you out loud? (wondered what • ”Praise the was going on) Which is easier to understand, when someone talks or can’t talk? Lord” stickers (when someone talks, uses their voice) All of us here can talk. We have a wonder- (optional) ful God, and He wants us to tell others about Him. Many times we are silent, just • markers as I was when you came in. We serve God when we know Him and tell others about Him. Now we are going to use our voices to praise God. Distribute toilet tissue tubes to the seated children. Let the children decorate their tube. Explain to the class that these are Praise Trumpets and can be used only to praise God. Hold your trumpet to the ear of the first child and whisper a praise such as Praise the Lord, Jesus lives, God loves you! That child turns to the next child and repeats the phrase, and so on around the circle. When everyone has heard the praise, say it loudly in unison through the trumpets.

Debriefing Allow response time as you ask: Did you like praising the Lord this way? We serve God when we tell others about Him. Have you told someone about Him this past week? (yes, no) Whom did you tell about Him? What did you say? Let us remember to tell others of our wonderful God. Today’s message says:

I SERVE GOD WHEN I TELL OTHERS ABOUT HIM.

Say that with me.

B. Do You Know Him? You Need: Show the picture. Ask the class to tell you different things about the person in • picture of per- the picture. For example: What is (name’s) favorite food? What do you like best son you know, about (name)? How long have you known (name)? Why would anyone want to be but children (name’s) friend? don’t When the students say that they don’t know the person, describe your friend. Then say: To tell about someone, you must know them. Today we’ll learn about Paul. Paul knew his friend Jesus so well that he could easily tell others about Him.

32 LESSON THREE www.gracelink.net/primary Debriefing Ask: How did you feel when I asked you to tell about a person that you did not know? (It wasn’t fair; I couldn’t do it.) Who can answer those questions about a person that you know? (Children raise hands.) Pick a child and have him/her tell about a person that he/she knows, answering the questions. Then ask: How can you know Jesus? (By reading the Bible, going to church, spending time with Him in prayer, etc.) Do you know Jesus well enough to tell others about Him? (yes, no) Our message for today is:

I SERVE GOD WHEN I TELL OTHERS ABOUT HIM.

Say that with me.

Prayer and Praise Any Time

Fellowship Report the students’ joys and sorrows (pleased and troubled) as reported to you at the door (as appropriate). Review the memory verse and allow time for sharing experiences from last week’s lesson study. Acknowledge any birthdays, special events, or achievements. Give a special warm greeting to all visitors.

Suggested Songs “God Calls Us” (Sing for Joy, no. 130) “Give Me Oil in My Lamp” (Sing for Joy, no. 132) “We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder” (Sing for Joy, no. 120) “Right Now” (Sing for Joy, no. 123)

Mission Share a story from Children’s Mission. Point out how the person in the mission story is serving God by telling others about Jesus.

Offering You Need: Say: Jesus’ story needs to be told everywhere in the world. • offering con- This quarter our offerings are going to help tell about Jesus in tainer repre- ______. Maybe you can’t go there yourself, but you can share senting where your money to help someone else tell them. Collect the offering. Thirteenth Sabbath Prayer Offering goes Have each child pick a prayer partner. Each child asks his or her partner for prayer requests. Before praying, each child is to tell the other one thing that he or she loves about God. Then tell God the same thing. An adult then prays that all will be more willing to tell others about God. www.gracelink.net/primary LESSON THREE 33 2 city!” [Paul gets up and walks around as if Bible Lesson sightseeing.] Beautiful statues, buildings, and art- Experiencing the Story work surrounded the people of Athens. You Need: Expensive temples filled with all kinds • stepladder or Setting the Scene of idols seemed to be everywhere. something Prepare a small “hill” with the step- Athens was known as a city overflow- stable to stand ladder or something stable to stand upon. ing with very intelligent people. But upon as Paul walked around, he felt sorry • brown material Cover it with brown material or crumpled for these people. They knew so very or crumpled paper bags. Beside the “hill,” construct a paper bags small “altar” by stacking boxes or large much, but they really didn’t know the • boxes or large rocks on top of each other. Place a sign most important thing. They didn’t know rocks on the front of the “altar” that reads Jesus. • sign that reads “unknown god.” Paul started talking to people. It “unknown god” Have an adult dressed in Bible-times wasn’t long until his words began to • Bible-times cos- costume speak the boldfaced words as make people think and ask questions. tumes Paul spoke to the Athenians. They wanted to hear what he had to say about Jesus. One day some- Characters: Paul, Paul’s friends from one invited Paul to speak to them on Berea, scoffers at the Areopagus, those top of Mars’ Hill at a place called the who want to hear more from Paul Areopagus. This was a special place Props: Bible-times costumes, Mars’ Hill, where the philosophers, men who were altar and sign considered to be very intelligent and wise, came to talk and listen to the lat- “Paul” reads or says his parts as a est ideas. [Paul climbs the ladder “hill.”] narrator reads the story. “Friends, I can see that you are very religious. Everywhere I look I [Paul gestures to his friends from see statues and altars to different Berea.] “Thank you so much for com- gods. [Paul points to the “altar.”] “On one ing with me to Athens!” Paul said to statue I noticed ‘TO AN UNKNOWN his friends from the city of Berea who GOD.’ I’m here today to tell you about had come with him. “Please send Silas Him!” and Timothy this way just as soon Carefully Paul began to speak. as you can!” [Paul waves to his friends “The true God made the world and as they walk away.] He waved as his everything in it. It is God in heaven friends, people who had just recently who gives life and breath to every- learned about Jesus, left to go back one.” As he continued speaking, many home to Berea. of the people listened carefully. Then Paul was lonely in Athens. There Paul told them about the resurrection of was not a single person there who Jesus. Some of the people said, “You’re knew or believed in Jesus. [Paul kneels crazy! But there were a few who said, down and may have prayed something “We want to hear from you again about like this.] “Dear Jesus, You are the only this.” one who can show me how to share Not very many people in the city of Your love with the people of this Athens believed in Jesus. They thought

34 LESSON THREE www.gracelink.net/primary their own wisdom was better than tables, one piece for every four children. God’s wisdom. But there were some Write the word JESUS in red letters in the people who did become Christians. middle of the newspaper piece. Explain Dionysius, an important man in the that Jesus is the center of everything. Ask city government, and a woman named the children to find and circle the words Damaris gave their hearts to Jesus. of the memory verse, within their news- Paul was able to talk boldly to the paper, using the verse in the large news- intelligent people of Athens because he paper as their guide. knew God’s message so well himself. When all teams are finished, have What can you do to get to know Jesus all the children repeat the verse together. better? Remember, we really want to Continue until all know the verse. know Jesus so we can tell others about Him. Bible Study In advance, write the texts and You Need: Debriefing answers below on separate small pieces • Bibles Ask: Have you visited a big city of paper. Be sure the answers are on • paper with beautiful buildings, statues, and separate pieces of paper. Make sure you artwork? (yes, no) How would you have enough papers for each child to feel if you planned to preach there? find one. Before the children arrive, hide (nervous, scared) Why was Paul not the texts and answers around the room afraid to tell about Jesus in such a big for a treasure hunt. city? (Because he knew Jesus well, and he knew that Jesus was with him.) If you 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray feel afraid to tell others about Jesus, Psalm 96:2 Sing what will you remember? (That Jesus 2 Timothy 3:14-17 Read the Word is with me and will help me.) Let’s say Proverbs 1:33 Listen our message: Psalm 37:3, 5, 7 Trust

I SERVE GOD WHEN I TELL Say: Search for one piece of OTHERS ABOUT HIM. paper, then return to your seat. If you find a paper with a text written Memory Verse on it, look up the text and answer the In advance, use question “What does this text tell me You Need: a broad-tip marker to to do to get to know Jesus better?” write the memory verse Then find the child with the correct • newspaper • broad-tip in large letters over the answer and sit (or stand) together. markers, black letters on a large spread Ask each pair, What can I do to get and red of newspaper. You may to know Jesus better? Allow time to have to tape a sheet of respond. white paper over the Say: Paul knew Jesus very well. newsprint if it is too difficult to read. What are some ways that he told Say: Paul shared the good news, others about Him? Have someone read and today we can read the good news Acts 17:16-18 out loud. (He reasoned for ourselves. Read the verse together with the Jews and Greeks in the syna- with the children a few times and place gogue, and with anyone who would your newspaper where everyone can see listen in the marketplace. He preached it. the good news about Jesus and His res- Place a large piece of newspaper at urrection.)

www.gracelink.net/primary LESSON THREE 35 Debriefing He is.) How will you tell someone Ask: Which of the ways to know about Him this week? (Will give them Jesus do you do often? (pray, sing, a Primary Treasure; invite them to church, read the Bible, listen, trust) How do you to Adventurers, etc.; will tell how Jesus “listen” to God? (going to church; going answered a prayer, etc.) Let’s say our out in nature; reading His Word; listen- message together: ing to parents, teachers, pastor, etc.) When you know Jesus well, what will I SERVE GOD WHEN I TELL you want to do? (Tell others how great OTHERS ABOUT HIM.

3 Applying the Lesson (Encourage the children to share their experiences.) How did you feel when What We Know you shared Jesus with someone? You Need: Discuss with the class ideas of things (happy, wished they would listen, etc.) • chalkboard/ that the children know about Jesus and What things that you know about whiteboard could share with others. Make a list of Jesus did you share? (Accept answers.) • marker or chalk their suggestions where all may see. What will you remember? (Say the message.) Debriefing Ask: How many of you have told I SERVE GOD WHEN I TELL someone who doesn’t know Jesus OTHERS ABOUT HIM. about Him? (Accept answers.) Would you like to share what happened? Say that with me.

36 LESSON THREE www.gracelink.net/primary 4 Sharing the Lesson Debriefing Ask: Does the person whom you You Need: Good News Book chose to receive your book know • construction Have the children make a “Good Jesus? What will you say to him or paper News Book” about Jesus. Use construc- her before you give them the book? • lined paper tion paper for the outside cover and let (Here is something that I made for you. • markers • pencils the children decorate it. Staple or use Would you like me to tell you about it? • stapler or yarn yarn to attach lined paper inside the etc.) How do you feel about telling this • hole punch person about Jesus? (Can’t wait; afraid; cover. Have the children decide to whom (optional) they will give it and write the following hope he/she doesn’t laugh at me; want on the first page: (name of person), Jesus him/her to know Jesus, too.) Let’s say loves you. our message for today: On the other pages, have the children copy some of the suggestions from I SERVE GOD WHEN I TELL the list made in Applying the Lesson. OTHERS ABOUT HIM. Suggest that they draw pictures on these pages. Closing Pray together for willingness and courage to tell others that Jesus loves them.

www.gracelink.net/primary LESSON THREE 37 STUDENT MATERIAL The Unknown God

References Have you ever pretended that you Acts 17:15-34; didn’t hear your mom the first time she The Acts of the called you? Sometimes we pretend that Apostles, we can’t hear someone, especially if pp. 231-242 they want us to do something we don’t want to do! A long time ago Paul tried to tell some people about Memory Verse the good news of Jesus, but many “God . . . is not of them didn’t want to listen. far from any one of us” “Thank you so much for (Acts 17:27). traveling with me to Athens!” Paul said to latest ideas. Such men were considered his friends visiting from the city of Berea. to be very intelligent and wise. It was an These people had just recently learned honor to be invited to speak there. The Message about Jesus. They had followed Paul to “Friends,” Paul began, “I can see that I serve God when Athens so he could teach them more as you are very religious. Everywhere I look I tell others about they traveled. I see statues and altars to different gods. Him. “Please send Silas and Timothy this On one statue I noticed the words: TO AN way just as soon as you can!” Paul waved UNKNOWN GOD. I’m here today to tell as his friends left to go back home to you about Him! Berea. “The true God of heaven made the Paul was lonely in Athens. There didn’t world and everything in it. It is God in seem to be a single person there who heaven who gives life and breath to knew or believed in Jesus. “Dear God,” he everyone.” As he continued speaking, may have prayed, “show me how to share many of the people listened carefully. Your love with the people of this city!” Then Paul told them about the resurrec- Beautiful statues, buildings, and art- tion of Jesus. Some of the people said, work surrounded the people of Athens. “You’re crazy! This is just a bunch of non- Expensive temples filled with all kinds of sense!” But there were a few who said, idols seemed to be everywhere. Athens “We want to hear more.” was known as a city overflowing with Not very many people in the city of intelligent people. But as Paul walked Athens believed in Jesus. They thought around, he felt sorry for these people. their own wisdom was better than They thought they knew so much. But God’s wisdom. But there were some who they really didn’t know the most impor- became Christians. Dionysius (dee-on-ee’- tant thing. They didn’t know Jesus. see-os), an important man in the city gov- Paul started talking to people. Soon ernment, and a woman named Damaris his words began to make people think chose to follow Jesus. and ask questions. They wanted to hear Paul was able to talk boldly to the what he had to say about Jesus. One intelligent people of Athens because he day someone invited Paul to speak at knew God. What can you do to get to the Areopagus on top of Mars’ Hill. The know Jesus better? Do you really want to Areopagus was a special place where know Jesus so you can tell others about philosophers met to talk and listen to the Him?

38 LESSON THREE www.gracelink.net/primary Daily Activities mon to the Athenians in Acts 17:24-31. What is Sabbath your favorite part? • Studying nature is one way to know God better. • Have you given away the “Good News Book” If possible, take a nature walk with your family. you made in Sabbath School? Try to learn something new. Plan to tell a friend • Unscramble your memory verse by using the or someone who doesn’t know God what you code below: Gzd is nzt fqr frzm yqch zny zf xs learned. Find a quiet place and read your Bible (Qcts 17:27). CODE: q=a; z=o; y=e; x=u lesson story together. Wednesday • Read Acts 17:24-27 together. Your memory • If you gave away your “Good News Book,” tell verse is part of verse 27. about it during family worship. With your fam- • Sing about God’s love, and then pray together. ily, read Acts 17:32-34. How did the people of Sunday Athens react when Paul told them the good • During family worship, read and discuss together news about Jesus? Acts 17:15-18. How can your family share the • Which four Bible books come before Acts? They good news about Jesus with other people? are called the four ______. (Ask your fam- Write two ideas here: ily.) • Say your memory verse. Draw a picture of what ______it means to you. Thank God for always being ______near you. • Make a “Good News Book” about your family. Thursday Write about good things that have happened • With your family, read the three Bible texts to your family. Tell about the best news—Jesus. below. Find something about Jesus that you Decorate with pictures. Give copies to your could share with others. friends and relatives. Pray for each one you give 1 Peter 5:7 Matthew 7:9-11 Matthew 6:25 it to. • Make three bookmarks. Put each text and the • Say your memory verse together. sentence that goes with it on a different one. Monday Decorate and give them to friends. • Read Acts 17:19-23 with your family. How did • Thank God for the Bible. Paul share the good news about Jesus? Write Friday here what was written on an altar in Athens: ___ • During Friday evening worship, act out your les- ______son story. Say your memory verse. Tell about • What would you tell about the true God? sharing the good news this week. Who else • If you have a telephone answering machine, enjoyed telling the good news about Jesus? record a happy greeting, using song, humor, or • Play some Christmas music while you read Luke rhyming words to introduce people to the good 2:8-14. Write Luke 2:10 and a joyful message news about Jesus. Pray for those who hear it. on a postcard. Decorate it and mail it to some- • Make up a tune for your memory verse. one who needs encouragement. You can cel- Tuesday ebrate Christmas anytime! • For worship today, read the rest of Paul’s ser- • Sing about God’s love, then pray together.